"Welcome baby girl," Justin greeted Aiden with a tight hug.
"Thanks, Mama," Aiden replied playfully, and they both burst into laughter.
As Charlie's white Porsche disappeared down the street, the playful mood quickly faded. They were safe in their new off-campus home, but the lingering presence of the Smith family's wealth and power felt like a shadow.
They both sat down in the backyard garden, enjoying the cool breeze of the evening. Justin gently placed his beer can on the small table and leaned forward.
"So, tell me about everything. I don't want to miss out at all," Justin insisted, his tone becoming serious.
"There's nothing special at all," Aiden tried to dismiss him.
"Eh! You mean nothing? That's not possible. You left for almost a month, and not just anywhere, but Tokyo of all places in Japan." Justin folded his arms across his chest, demanding the truth.
"Okay, fine, if you insist. Hell yeah, I do."
Aiden began to narrate his entire trip, starting with his initial, confusing meeting with the Smiths, the frantic travel, and the unexpected shopping spree he was taken on.
"You were taken for shopping? Wow, my friend is the luckiest!" Justin exclaimed, eyes wide with envy and excitement.
"Come on, you are way more luckier than I am," Aiden countered, patting Justin's shoulder before standing up, heading inside the house.
"Hey, what do you mean?" Justin ran after him, finding Aiden busy unboxing the things he had brought back.
"Tada!" Aiden announced, pulling out a beautiful wristwatch.
"Oh my gosh, this is beautiful!" Justin beamed with a smile as he saw the costly item. Aiden stretched out the gift.
"This is for you."
"What!" Justin asked, still confused. "Have it? Really?"
"While this is for us." Aiden began to unpack the rest of the bags, which contained matching clothes, gadgets, and expensive items, all laid out in pairs.
"What have you done, Aiden Lawson!" Justin exclaimed, surprise written all over his face.
"I made sure I got everything I got for myself also for you, bestie," Aiden smiled.
"What the hell!" Justin looked at the pile of gifts.
"I hope you like them all. I love it!" Justin threw himself at his friend, hugging him tightly.
"Hmmm... and I also got you a boyfriend," Aiden teased.
Justin broke the hug and looked at Aiden straight in the face. "You what?"
"Just kidding," Aiden chuckled, and they both burst into laughter.
Justin was deeply touched, not expecting his friend to do this much for him. While they were having dinner together, Justin thanked him over and over.
"It's enough. Besides, it's not like I bought it with my money. Just consider it as a freebie," Aiden shrugged.
"I don't care, they are way too expensive freebies then," Justin argued.
"Hmmm, whatever. I'm gonna cherish them all. Yeah, I forgot to thank you for the house, but—"
"You really went through all that just for...?" Justin trailed off, looking at the extent of the gifts.
"Yes. For someone I had a one-night thing with. It's so ridiculous and embarrassing. Even his fiancée is more of a life threat to me."
"He has a fiancée, ish!" Justin hissed in disappointment.
"It's no big deal. We have nothing on one another, ever again. Charlie even told me that there are going to be fewer similar cases to the kidnap."
"You mean to you or who?"
"Yes, to me," Aiden frowned with worry. "That's rude to say."
"I don't think so. He meant well. I think you need to avoid that family for now."
"But what about your girl who wants to get close to them? What are you going to do about that?" Aiden asked with genuine concern, shifting the focus back to Justin's immediate problem.
Justin shrugged, leaning back. "I don't think that's an issue. Besides, I'm just gonna explain to her and tell her the truth."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, not that difficult."
.
Few weeks later
"And how is my business affecting the stocks' rate?" Damien banged his hand on the table.
Damien has been under pressure since he was back in town. There has been a lot of secret investigation which tends to find out that his empire has been into some of criminal activities, and this has been the only thing fueling the business stocks but which he wants to stop.
"I think holding this meeting is a key to everything, Sir," Sean stood up to explain the purpose of the meeting. "Everyone here knows the great impact on the Smith's business and we want to take action regarding the rumors."
"I don't think this is just a rumor," Man #2 replied.
"How do you mean?" Man #3 countered.
"Yes, I think we just need to fish them out and feed them to the dogs," Man #2 suggested with a clear conscience.
"Hey! Hey! Watch your filthy mouth, you—" Man #1 stammered, pointing a finger to the man who sat next to Damien on the right.
Damien, who had been watching all the stakeholders and shareholders of the company murmur and suggest different opinions, noticed that only the ones with their higher shares were voicing out.
"That is what I will do!" Damien finally spoke.
"Sir?" Sean asked, trying to get his words.
"Just as you said, Mr. Jung, we are going to fish them all out and feed them to the dogs."